A family commitment kept LaChaston Smith from visiting Florida Saturday, April 7, but the Gators may have opened the door for other programs to pursue the Statesville (NC) South Iredell outside linebacker after they received verbal commitments from four in-state linebackers.

"I'm trying to get down there [Florida]," Smith said. "They're [Florida] always going to be high. Even if they fill up all of their spots they're still going to be high on my list. One of the guys might get injured, so I might have to be their backup plan. I'm willing to do that."

East Carolina has emerged as the frontrunner for Smith, but he said no school has a significant edge. He added that his second choice is a tossup between North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

David Duggan is recruiting Smith for the Tar Heels. Smith said he last communicated with Duggan about two weeks ago on Facebook.

Wake Forest continues to stay in the mix for the 6-feet, 215-pounder, who is rated as a three-star recruit and the nation's No. 27 outside linebacker by Rivals.com.

"He [Rucker] texted me [Friday, April 20], and he was just telling me that they talk about me a lot," Smith said. "I know he wouldn't tell me any lies about something of that nature. I know it's true, especially coming from my cousin."

In 10 games Smith recorded 82 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, five sacks, two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns, and four pass breakups.

Smith missed the final four games of the season due to injury.

South Iredell advanced to the third round of the state playoffs to finish with a 13-1 record.